ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Industries Should Take Positive Approach and Tap the Opportunities Created After Covid-19 Crisis Gets Over: Shri Gadkari
Union Minister for MSME and Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has said that industries should keep a positive outlook and tap the opportunities that may arise after COVID pandemic is over. He was addressing a webinar on "MSME and Infrastructure, Post COVID-19: Life of these two lifelines of the Indian Economy”, organized today by Indore Management Association.
Shri Gadkari called upon the industry that it is needed to be ensured by industries that necessary preventive measures are taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He emphasized that organizations should ensure that their workers and executives are taken care of - by providing food, shelter and maintaining social distancing norms. He emphasized that industry should take a positive approach and tap the opportunities that will be created when the COVID-19 crisis gets over.
He stated that all the stakeholders must adopt an integrated approach to come over the crisis while ensuring the lives and livelihood of the people. Shri Gadkari also urged the industry to have a positive attitude during this time to tide over this crisis.
The Union Minister emphasized that special focus towards export enhancement is the need of the hour. Further, he mentioned that there is also need to focus on import substitution to replace imports with domestic production.
The Minister recalled that Government of Japan has offered special package to its industries for taking out Japanese investments from China and move elsewhere. He opined that it is an opportunity for India which should be grabbed.
Some of the major issues highlighted and the suggestions given included: Increasing provision of 10% of working capital limit as additional funds to 30%, relaxation in Companies Act so that liquidity can be arranged from social circle, benefit for labourers infected by COVID-19, relaxation in labour laws, relaxation in electricity bills during the lockdown, deferring GST and advance tax, introducing a scheme for COVID-19 similar to Voluntary Disclosure of Income scheme, etc.
Shri Gadkari responded to the questions from representatives and assured all possible help from the government. He informed that he would take up the issues with related departments.
Prime Minister's Office
PM marks seven years of PM Jan Dhan Yojana and calls it an initiative that forever transformed India's development trajectory
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed happiness on completion of seven years of PM Jan Dhan Yojana. The Prime Minister also applauded the untiring efforts of all those who have worked to make PM Jan Dhan Yojana a success.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;
"Today we mark seven years of #PMJanDhan, an initiative that has forever transformed India’s development trajectory. It has ensured financial inclusion and a life of dignity as well as empowerment for countless Indians. Jan Dhan Yojana has also helped further transparency.
I would like to applaud the untiring efforts of all those who have worked to make #PMJanDhan a success. Their efforts have ensured the people of India lead a better quality of life."
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
Punjab has contributed 166.97 LMT which is 70.66% of total Paddy Procurement
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, TamilNadu, Chandigarh, J&K, Kerala, Gujarat & Andhra Pradesh with purchase of over 236.30 LMTs of paddy upto 05.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 197.60 lac MT showing an increase of 19.58 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 236.29 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 166.97 LMT which is70.66% of total procurement.
About 19.98 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 44612.89 Crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 05.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 27,105.64 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.145.68 Crores benefitting 16387 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan as against the last year corresponding purchase of 15699.90 MT which is an increase of 72.64% for pulses and oilseeds.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 5.11.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Till 05.11.2020 a quantity of 909659 cotton bales valuing Rs.263613 lakh has been procured benefitting 175184 farmers
Ministry of Textiles
Rs. 55 crore has been sanctioned for Knitwear Park in Bengal.
Kolkata, December 20, 2019.
Union Minister of Textiles and Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani said that textiles ministry has expanded the skill development programme, called Samarth, for the entire value chain of the textiles sector in organized sector which are being trained under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, with a target of 10 lakh persons. Memorandum of Understanding  has been signed with eighteen states and industry partners to take up skill up-gradation program, she added. The Minister was speaking at the One-Day Conference held to commemorate 125 years of Knitwear Industry by West Bengal Hosiery Association in Kolkata today.
Applauding the efforts of WBHA officials and staffs for their significant contribution to the industry, Smt. Irani said, knitting and knitwear sector is predominantly MSME in size and mainly located in decentralized sector and is one of the major employment generator sectors. It also has a significant contribution on the exports of textiles. Knitting is a major segment in the entire textile value chain, she added. A special credit scheme under the Power Tex India for the knitwear sector has been formulated by the Textile Ministry and they are working together with industry stakeholders and have lauded this scheme, she said. Smt. Irani emphasized on purchase of new technology and new machines instead of buying old ones with the money granted under subsidy. The Minister also said that they have planned to organize special camps with members of WBHA and all knitwear units in West Bengal to educate them about the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme  in next two weeks. Around Rs. 55 lakh crore has already been sanctioned so far for knitwear park in West Bengal, she added.
Textiles Minister assured to look into the demand for creation of knitwear mark to give quality assurance to the customers. She also assured that meeting with stakeholders will be held very soon to look into the issues concerning with industries with less than one crore turnover annually. The Minister mentioned that special meeting with members of knitwear service centers would also be held very soon to resolve the problems faced by the industry.
The Textiles Ministry has approved combined SFC of PowerTex India Scheme and Knitwear Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 487.07 crores. Out of this Rs. 439.35 crore is for PowerTex for 3 years from 1.4.2017 to 31.03.2020 and Rs. 47.72 crores for Knitwear for the remaining period of 2018-19 and for 2019-20.
The Minister also released Coffee Table Book and gave away Legendry Awards and Hall of Fame awards on the occasion.
Shri Rakesh Biyani, President, The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India ; Dr. A. sakthivel, Vice Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council ; Shri Kunj Behari Agarwala, President, Federation of Hosiery Manufacturers ; Shri Ashok Kumar Todi, President, WBHA and Shri Sandeep Seksaria, Secretary WBHA among others were also present on the occasion.
MSA
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Ministry of Railways
REFUND OF CANCELLED TICKETS
On Indian Railways, occupancy pattern of trains is not uniform throughout the year and it varies over lean and peak periods. During peak rush periods, the occupancy of the trains especially on popular routes remains full whereas during lean period and on less popular routes, there is sub optimal utilization. Waiting list tickets are issued to take care of reserved accommodation going vacant against cancellation of confirmed accommodation, avoid chances of passengers being turned away by booking clerks on account of accommodation being exhausted and to help Railways to assess the demand pattern. Waiting list position of the trains running on Indian Railways is monitored on regular basis and to cater to additional demand, load of existing trains are augmented, special trains are run, new trains are introduced, frequency of existing trains is increased etc. subject to operational feasibility.
As soon as the ticket, in which status of all the passengers is on waiting list at the time of preparation of first reservation charts, is automatically cancelled, auto refund is initiated and refund is advised to the bank on the next day.
If money is debited and ticket is not booked, automatic refund process is initiated by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation  on the following day. Refund amount is advised to the Payment Gateway/bank through which booking amount was received. Normally bank takes time to process refund as per the following mode of transaction-
- For Net banking/Wallet/Cash Card transaction 3-4 business days.
- For Credit card/Debit card transaction 6-7 business days.
Passenger can avail Book Now Pay Later option available in Mobile App and EMI option available in the website as payment option.
Instructions already available on this account have been reiterated to all zonal Railways that expeditious clearance of police, paramilitary and armed forces should be ensured by attaching additional coach/coaches to trains and/or by earmarking train service second class coach, subject to feasibility, so long as they hold valid travel authority.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Tourism
Shri Prahlad Singh Patel assumes charge as the Minister of State  for Tourism
Shri Prahlad Singh Patel assumed charge as the Minister of State  of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in New Delhi today.
The five-time MP, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel represents Damoh Lok Sabha Constituency in Madhya Pradesh. He has previously been member of several Parliamentary Committees in the 16th Lok Sabha. The 59 year old Minister takes interest in a wide range of social and cultural activities including preservation of Indian culture, development of rural areas, farmers’ welfare and promotion of sports.
Addressing media persons, soon after taking charge, the Minister said that the Ministry will work to fulfill the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘New India’ by simultaneously investing in strengthening our cultural roots and promoting the Tourism sector. The Minister also added that “India is a large country and its cultural might is no less”. This vast cultural diversity of the country itself is main cause of attraction for tourists. Further, the Minister said that the works which were done in the last five years shall be taken forward at a much greater pace and in time bound manner. Being a highly employment generating sector, the proper branding/promotion of the country’s culture and tourism is required and for this the Minister sought support from all stakeholders.
Further details about the Minister are available at the link given below:
http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=306
Ministry of Culture
Prime Minister to unveil 28ft statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose tomorrow
Statue will be placed under the Canopy near India Gate
A grand statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, will be unveiled by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 8th of September 2022 near India Gate in New Delhi. The jet black granite statue, measuring a total of 28 ft. will be placed under the Canopy near India Gate.
The grand statue of Netaji being unveiled has been carved from a monolithic block of granite weighing 280 MT. After 26,000 man hours of intense artistic endeavor, the granite monolith was chiseled to produce a statue weighing 65 MT. The statue is completely hand sculpted using traditional techniques and modern tools. The team of sculptors for executing the statue was led by Shri. Arun Yogiraj.
The statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, which will be unveiled by the Prime Minister, is being installed in the same place where a hologram statue of Netaji was unveiled earlier this year on Parakram Diwas  by him to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji.
The 28 feet tall towering statue of Netaji is one of the tallest, realistic, monolithic, handmade sculptures in India. The PM had on 21st January 2022 assured that a grand statue of Netaji made of granite will be installed at India Gate as a symbol of the nation’s indebtedness to him.
A 100 feet long truck with 140 wheels was specially designed for this monolithic granite stone to travel the 1665 kms from Khammam in Telangana to New Delhi.
The Prime Minister’s arrival at the canopy for the unveiling of the statue of Netaji will be heralded with traditional Manipuri Shankh Vadayam and Kerala’s traditional Panch Vadayam and Chanda. The unveiling of the statue of Netaji would be accompanied to the tune of Kadam Kadam Badhaye jaa, the traditional INA song.
To demonstrate the spirit of Ek Bharat – Shrestra Bharat & Unity in Diversity a cultural festival by 500 dancers drawn from all parts of the country, would be showcased on the Kartvya Path. The glimpse of the same would be shown to the Prime Minster on the step Amphitheatre near India Gate by around 30 artists who will perform tribal folk art forms such as Sambalpuri, Panthi, Kalbelia, Kargam and dummy horse with live music by Nashik Dhol Pathik Tasha and Drums. Mangalgaan penned by Padma Bhushan Pt. Shrikrishna Ratanjankarji on the auspicious occasion of 1st Independence Day of India in 1947 is being presented by Pt. SuhasVashi along with a team of singers and musicians. Shri. Ashish Keskar will be the music director for the presentation.
The festival at Kartvya path would commence at 08.45 PM on 8th September, 2022 after the main function and will also continue on 9th, 10, & 11th September, 2022 from 7.00 PM to 9.00 PM.
A special 10 minute Drone Show on Netaji’s life would be projected at India Gate at 08.00 PM on 9th, 10th & 11th September, 2022. Both the cultural festival and the drone show would be open to public with free entry.
President's Secretariat
Envoys of Four Nations Present Credentials to President of India
Ambassadors of Ethiopia, Tajikistan, Philippines and Nicaragua presented credentials to the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
The envoys who presented their credentials were: -
1. Dr Tizita Mulugeta, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
2. Mr Rahimzoda Sulton, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan
3. Mr Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr., Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines
4. Mr Rodrigo Coronel Kinloch, Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua
Vice President's Secretariat
Education is the key lever for transforming India: Vice President
True education gives us the humility that makes us realize as to how much more there is to learn: VPI
Shri M Venkaiah Naidu addresses the sixth edition of ThinkEdu Conclave organized by The New Indian Express  in Chennai
The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has said that education is the key lever for transforming India. He addressed the sixth edition of ThinkEdu Conclave organized by The New Indian Express  in Chennai today where he stressed on the need to reshape the education system.
Education is a powerful tool that empowers individuals and transforms communities. It can break the vicious cycles of poverty. It can enable a country like India with a large youth population, to grow. But only if it can capitalize on its demographic advantage, he said.
The Vice President said that true education gives us the humility that makes us realize as to how much more there is to learn. This humility makes us lifelong learners and we grow as individuals.
The Vice President said that without a good human resource development strategy, country cannot achieve sustainable development. Without equipping our children, youth and adults with the required knowledge, skills and attitudes, we cannot be a developed nation, he said.
The Vice President said that the humanistic, inclusive, harmonious vision given to us by ancestors must be integrated into our education system. We must now get down to making our schools, colleges and universities great places of learning. The new resurgent India can be built on excellence and equity in education, he further said.
The Vice President called on people involved in education sector to focus on improving access to pre-primary education and elementary education of good quality. We cannot afford to ignore this vital dimension any longer. We cannot build a new India on a weak foundation. We cannot tolerate the high level of illiteracy, he said.
The Vice President said India requires a curriculum that makes learners knowledgeable, skillful and responsible. We should make put the children at the centre of schooling. We should make the system respond to the learning needs of youth and adults. The higher education system must focus on research and extending the frontiers of knowledge, he said.
The Vice President said that Education system must have essential guiding principles to help students become good human beings. Education is for employment. Education is for enlightenment. Education is for empowerment. Education is for evolution into a competent and caring individual. Education is for transformation of societal norms, he said.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves signing of memorandum of Understanding between India and United Arab Emirates on cooperation in the field of Education
The Union Cabinet chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education, Government of India and the Ministry of Education of the Government of United Arab Emirates on cooperation in the field of Education. The objective of the MoU is to further strengthen our ongoing educational collaboration between India and UAE and widen the scope of our engagements.
An MoU was signed in 2015 with UAE in the field of Education which expired in 2018. In 2019, at a meeting between Education Ministers of the two countries, UAE side proposed to sign a new MoU. The new MoU incorporates changes brought in by the National Education Policy 2020 in India’s education ecosystem.
This MoU aims to promote Exchange of Information Education, Capacity Development of Technical and vocational Education and Training  teaching staff, Facilitation of academic collaboration between Higher Education Institutions in both the countries for offering Twinning, Joint Degree and Dual Degree Programmes and any such other areas agreed upon.
This MoU will rejuvenate educational cooperation and increase academic mobility between India and UAE besides facilitating exchange information in order to promote mutual recognition of these qualifications. It also covers cooperation in TVET as UAE is a major work destination for Indians.
The MoU will be valid for a period of five years from the date of signing and will be automatically renewable with the consent of both parties. Once signed, this MoU shall supersede the earlier MoU signed with UAE in 2015, which will then cease to have effect.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari sets Award and Construction targets for the Road Ministry
Over 16000 km of NH to be constructed and 25 per cent higher more NH works to be awarded this year
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari has said that the Road Transport & Highways Ministry has fixed a target of awarding works for around 20,000 kilometres length of National Highways during the current year 2018-19. This is about 25 per cent more than the 17055 kilometres awarded during 2017-18, of which, 8652 kilometres were awarded by the Ministry, 7397 by NHAI and 1006 by NHIDCL.
The construction targets for 2018-19 have been set at 16,420 km, of which 9700 km will be constructed by MoRTH, 6000 km by NHAI and 720 km by NHIDCL. 9829 kilometres length of National Highways were constructed during 2017-18. Per day construction target has been set at 45 km for the current year, against last year’s about 27 km per day.
Shri Gadkari said, his Ministry is making all out efforts for improving and strengthening the Highways network in the country. This year the focus would be more on construction, but the award would be more than last year. There will also be focus on completing the DPRs of all the “Ïn Principle” declared NHs.
Shri Gadkari held a review meeting of officials of his Ministry today in which the state wise status of projects were reviewed. He said that yearly targets should be divided into Quarterly Targets so that there is no pressure at the end of the year. Chairman NHAI has created a Monitoring Group under him to complete ongoing projects. A similar group is being created in the Ministry.
To see the status of projects state wise, please click the link below.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles tragedy in Vidisha
Announces ex - gratia from PMNRF
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the deaths in a tragedy in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. He also announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to be given to next of kin of those who lost their lives.
In a PMO tweet, the Prime Minister said :
"Anguished by the tragedy in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives: PM @narendramodi"